ABSTRACT
The compatibility of customary tenured land (CTL) system of land allocation with the call for sustainable agricultural development as set out in the Swaziland Environment Action Plan (SEAP) remains a critical issue. This action plan outlines implementation strategies and plans for improved environmental management, as well as recommendations for the development of a supporting policy framework. Improved natural resource management for increased (agricultural) production was identified as one of the major programmes of action. A mismatch between land use and land suitability, and land shortage, were seen as major factors limiting sustainable agricultural production. The Rural Resettlement Policy that was adopted in 2002, potentially provides important tools to improve the land allocation efficiency within communities, as it proposes mechanisms to build up institutional and technical capacities to ensure that chiefs will give due consideration to the availability of land of adequate quality before allocating it.
